Galatians 5:1, 13-25

What It Means to be Free

What do you think it means to be free? We often think being free means you can do what you want to do and go where you want to go. That is partially true, but to be truly free we must also learn to make good choices.

Wild horses running free are one of the most beautiful sights you could ever hope to see. (Show picture.) With their manes and tails flowing in the wind they are a symbol of freedom. It seems as if they could do anything they want to do, but even wild horses live with certain rules.

Wild horses band together and live in families. Each family has a male leader (a stallion) who guards the herd and alerts them when there is danger. There is also a female lead horse (a mare) who guides the other horses to food and water. Wild horses learn how to get along with each other, how to care for their young, and they even follow rules about which horse will eat and drink first.

The Bible gives us good information about freedom and tells us this: “For you… were called for freedom” (5:13).

God gives each one of us freedom to make our own choices. The Bible provides suggestions and guidelines for how to live the best life. We all have the opportunity to love God and follow those suggestions.

When we choose to be guided by God’s Spirit, The Spirit teaches us how to make good choices and brings such things as love, joy, peace, patience, and generosity into our lives.

The Bible tells us that we are “called to freedom” and that is a good thing, but freedom also comes with responsibility to make good choices. That’s what it means to be free.